PLANS to re-open a ear, nose and throat service at Highfield Hospital in Widnes have been welcomed by Halton MP Derek Twigg.

He has lobbied health chiefs to restore the facility after it was moved out of the clinic.

Mr Twigg said: “The whole point of re-organising the health service is to provide local services.

“It was totally unacceptable to have patients travelling to Halton and Warrington hospitals.

“Many elderly people need this service on their doorstep.”

Simon Banks, chief officer of Halton Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We have kept our politicians, including Mr Twigg briefed on the development of community based ear, nose and throat services in the borough.

"These services have for some months been delivered from the Health Care Resource Centre in Widnes.

“We are also working with providers to include additional venues over the coming months to improve access further.

“In addition a limited ear, nose and throat service provision, comprising of ear cleaning, is being delivered from the Highfield Hospital site.”